Gang punch



March 31, 1942. l J. E. SADLER 2,278,288v

GANG PUNCH l Filed April 4, 1941 2 .sheets-Sheet 1 vMarch 81, 1942. J.E. SADLER 2,278,288

GANG PUNCH Filed April 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /962 J5 J2 33a J5' y umili L Ill-Hh l l l l l v. lses n mm l7 77|.77|7l77 11 mgmmgg 818 8|8l8a a a NEMEN@ 989999,9989@ INVENTOR 7g Y l Ldm rk/ML ATTORNEYS IIEEEIBEHE6 IEIHIEIIEJIEEIEZE e s MENEN@ Patented Mar. 3l, 1942 UNlTED STATESPATENT' OFFICE GANG PUNCH John Edward Sadler, Richmond, Va., assignor toThe Duplex Envelopel Company, Inc., Richmond, Va., a corporation ofVirginia Application April 4, 1941, Serial No. 386,757

2 Claims. (Cl. 164-93) The present invention relates to punching devicesand more particularly to a gang punch designed for punching round holesin multiple thicknesses or layers of paper, cards, or the like, atpredetermined locations.

In banking, for example, loans are made to individuals vwho repay inmonthly instalments. The borrowers are each provided with a set of cardscorresponding to the number of instalment payments to be made and one ofthese cards is returned to the bank with each payment. Customarily, theamount of each payment indicated on the card is the same, as is the clayof the month and other related information. This data is applied to eachcard in the form of punch holes which permit the card to be passedthrough recording business machines at the bank for tabulating and otherpurposes. Since all the cards bear this same punched data and since theholes must be accurately punched if the cards are to be used in businessmachines, it is necessary to provide machinery which can be rapidly setup to punch the desired data simultaneously in a plurality of cards andwhich will permit and facilitate the accurate simultaneous punching of aplurality of cards.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a punching machineor gang punch which will fulfill these requirements.

Another requirement, which it is an object of this invention to fulll,is that the arrangement of punches may quickly and conveniently bealtered to meet required punching conditions for each new set of cardsto be punched.

Still another requirement which it, also, is an I object of thisinvention to fulfill, is that each stack or pack of cards be punchedcleanly and accurately without residual burrs on their backs which wouldmake it difcult, if not impossible, for such cards to be run throughtabulating machines successfully.

A further requirement, which, too, it is an object of this invention tofulll, is that the operation of the machine be convenient and easy,needing but little strength on the part of an operator for successfulmanipulation.

`To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear, this invention consists in the novel constructionand arrangement of parts hereinafter described i of this invention, itbeing expressly understood, f'

however, that changes may be made in practice within the scope of theclaims without digressing from the inventive idea.

In the drawings, in which similar characters denote corresponding parts,

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially in vertical section, of a gangpunch embodying the features of my invention;

Figure la is a partial top plan view on a reduced scale illustrating thelinkageand leverage-operating system for operating the punch;

Figure lb is an end view on a reduced scale viewed from the left ofFigure l;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the punch portion of the device of Figurel, broken away in part, at different levels, to illustrate features ofconstruction; and

Figure 3is a plan View of one form of card, or the like, adapted to bepunched in the device illustrated in the first-named figures.

Referring now to the drawings, and rst to reference Figs. l and 2, IE!denotes a base for a gang punch` made rof any suitable material. Thisbase, in the embodiment shown, has rectangular form and a substantiallyilat-top face I I. A transversely eX- tending recess I2 is provided inthis top. Fitted into this recess is a base plate or member I3 ofhardened steel or other suitable shockand wearresisting material. Theplate is so admeasured that its top face i4 lies flush with the face IIof the base J0.

This plate is provided with a plurality of transversely extending rowsof holes I5. In the embodiment shown there are twelve holes in each rowand forty equi-distantly spaced parallel rows are provided withcorresponding holes of eachv row in alignment with those of all the.other rows. It is to be understood, of course, that fewer or largernumbers of holes per row and, likewise, fewer or larger numbers of rowsmay be provided.

The base I0 is provided below the plate I3 with a corresponding set ofholes It which are of somewhat larger diameters than those of holes I3,and in axial alignment therewith. These holes I6 permit free clearancefor the punchedout portions of the cards, or the like, as will behereinafter described more in detail.

Parallelly arranged guide bars il suitably iixed as at I8 to the topface il of the base extend transversely thereof adjacent opposite edgesof the plate I3. A transversely extending positioning guide member I9extending between the guide bars I'I near one pair of ends thereof isprovided. This member I9 has a horizontal ange I9a which is slotted at2|) and adjustably positioned on the face II of the base by set screws2|, or the like, which extend into the slots 29 so that the member I9may be adjustably positioned and fixed in predetermined positions in thelongitudinal direction of the guide bars I1, and between the latter.

Vertically extending guide posts, or rods 22, are supported suitablyfrom the base I0, being arranged in this embodiment at corners of arectangle. These posts have reduced lower-end portions 23 which engagethreadedly in threaded holes 24 provided in the base I0, with theshoulder 25 between the two portions of each post abutting the top faceII of the base. Heads 26 at the upper ends of the posts serve aslimiting stops as will be hereinafter described. l

The punch head denoted generally by the reference character 39 ismovable reciprocally on the guide posts or rods 22. This head has alower, or presser foot and stripping member 3|, and a punch-carryingsupport 32.

The presser foot and stripping member 3| consist of a plate havingsubstantially rectangular form. This plates has openings 33 adjacent toits corners through which the guide posts 22 are adapted to project andis slidable vertically in either direction on these posts. A downwardlyprojecting flange 34 is provided on the lower face of the member 3|.This flange in outline corresponds in shape to that of plate I3 and isadapted and admeasured in size so that in its lowermost position it canextend into the limited space above plate I3, provided by the guide barsI1. Both the presser member 3| and the flange 34 have a plurality ofvertical holes 35 corresponding in number and relative position to theholes I in plate I3.

The punch-carrying support 32 consists of a plate having substantiallythe same peripheral shape as member 3 I. This plate, too, has openings36 adjacent to its corners through which the guide posts 22 are adaptedto project, and is slidable vertically in either direction on theseposts. The upper ends of openings 36 are countersunk at 36a to receivethe heads 26 of the posts in the uppermost position of support 32, theheads serving to limit upward movement of support 32.

The plate 32 has, also, holes 31 which are countersunk at 31a. Spacingmembers or bolts 38 having heads 38a are inserted into these holes oropenings 31 and engage threadedly at 38h in the member 3|, the platebeing slidable relative to member 3| on these bolts but limited inmovement by the heads 38a.

Compression springs 40 are mounted on the bolts 38 between member 3| andsupport 32 and serve to maintain a spaced relationship between theseparts, limited by the engagement of the bolt heads 38a in thecountersunk portions 31a of the holes 31. In this normal spacedrelationship, the length of bolts 36 is so admeasured as to maintain themember 3| in spaced relationship with the base IIJ leaving a spacdopening 4I between the face I4 of the plate I3 and the lower face 34a ofthe flange for a purpose to be hereinafter specified.

The support 32, likewise, has a plurality of vertically extending holes42 in axial alignment and corresponding in number with the holes 35 andI5 in the other parts.

A plurality of punch pins 43 are provided. Each of these pins hassubstantially circular cross-section rand is so admeasured in diameteras to be movable slidably through any of the openings I5, 35 and 42. Atits upper end each pin is headed at 44. Each pin is so admeasured inlength that when inserted into a hole 42 through the upper end of thelatter, the lower end 45 of the pin,l in the normal position of support32 and member 3|, will not in the normal positions of parts projectbelow the surface 34a of the member 3|, terminating preferably justshort of this surface, as shown in Fig. 1.

One of these punch pins is adapted to be inserted into, and removed atwill from, any vertical pair of holes 42 and 35 With the head thereofresting on the top face 32a of support 32.

When a desired set of pins has been inserted into the required pairs ofholes 42 and 35, it is necessary to lock the pins against relativemovement with respect to the support 32. To this end, any suitableclamping means is provided.

This means, in the embodiment shown, comprises a locking plate 46. Thelatter, on its bottom face, has a recess 41 of suicient depth to receivethe heads 44. The plate is suitably hinged at 48 to the support 32.

Suitable means are provided to lock the plate 46 over the heads 44. Tothis end, in the embodiment shown, a slot or slots 49 are provided inthe plate 46. These slots extend transversely from the edge 46a of thesaid plate and are longer than they are wide. A locking pin 5I)threadedly engaging in the support 32 is provided for each slot andextends through the latter, terminating in `a flattened transverse head5I.

The heads 5I are so admeasured that, when they extend parallel with thelength of the slots 49, the locking plate 46 may be lifted from thesupport 32 and rotated about the hinges 48. On the other hand, when theyextend transversely of the slots, the plate 46 is locked in place. Sincethe pins 50 engage threadedly in the support 32, the plate 46 may betightly clamped to the said support, serving them to secure the punches43 firmly to the said support.

Means for operation of the punch head 30 are provided. To this end, thesupport 32 is provided with upwardly extending yoke lianges 52. Eachflange has a slotted pivot opening 53 in which a pivot pin 54 engagesloosely. Each pivot pin is secured intermediate the ends of a lever 55.One end of each lever 55 is pivotally joined at 56 to a vertical supportor fulcrum bar 51. The said bar in turn is rigidly secured to the baseI0 and further supported vertically by the brace bar 58 which is securedboth to the base I6 at 59 and to the bar 51 at 56.

Each lever 55 after being bent at 55 and 55" (Fig. la) has its oppositeend pivotally joined at 60 to a link 6I. Each link, in turn, is suitablybent at 6I and 6| and pivoted at 62 to a single centrally locatedoperating lever 63. The operating lever is pivotally joined at 54between tines 65 to a centrally located upright or fulcrum bar 65 which,in turn, has oppositely extending iianges 66 which are supportedsuitably at 66 from the base I 9. The lever 63 serves through links 6Ito operate the levers 55 in unison. This lever and linkage system uponrotation of the lever 63 eiTects corresponding vertical movement of thepunch head 30 as will be hereinafter described. The linkage and leversare so arranged as to provide leverage in favor of the operator.

One form of card adapted to be punched in the device of this inventionis illustrated in Fig. 3. Therein, the card 1D hasl substantiallyrectanguthe insertion by hand of certain data, such as,

name, address, remittance number, et cetera. Also, the card has on itsface a plurality of transversely arranged parallel rows A of numerals,

'the numerals in each row being in series for In operation of themachine, if, for example, A

the operator wishes to punch out of a plurality of cards the variousnumerals encircled in Fig. 3,'

he releases the locking plate 46, turning it back on its hinges 4B toexpose the support 32, and inserts a punch pin 43 into each one of theholes 42 which corresponds in position to one of the encircled numeralsof the card Iii. I-Ie then covers the so mounted punch pins with thelocking plate 45 and clamps the latter thereover by the headed screws orpins 50, as described.

The rear guide I9 is then adjusted to such position, that, when the cardedges 10a abut this guide, each encircled numeral will lie directlyunder that punch pin which is to punch it out.

After such adjustment of the guide, a stack or pile of the cards 'I3'are slid into the space 4I between the guide Il until their ends 'Illaabut the rear guide I9. n

The lever 63 is then rotated in such direction as to cause punching ofthe stack of cards. This punching takes place as follows: Rotation oflever 63 is transmitted through the links 6I to levers 55 which, inturn, move the flanges 52, and, consequently, the support 32, downwardlyon the guide posts 22. Since the pins 43 are rigidly held with respectto the support 32 by the locking plate 46, they, too, move downwardlytoward the cards. At the same time, the downward motion of support 32 istransmitted through springs 4i] to the presser member 3| which then alsomoves downwardly into pressing engagement through its flange 34 with thestack of cards in space 31. This pressing engagement forces out all airbetween the individual cards in the stack pressing them closely togetherand crushing any burrs or edge fibres of the cards. vWhile so pressedtogether, continued downward movement of the lever G3 causes the punchpins 43 on the continuing downward movement of support 32 to punchthrough the card stack and force the punched-out parts through holes I5in plate I3 and holes I6 in the base IIJ, the ends 45 of the punch pinsfollowing through the punched holes into the holes l5 to force thepunchings out through holes I6.

Upon release of the lever G3 and its rotation in the opposite direction,the springs 40 first move the support 32 upwardly while maintainingpressing engagement of the presser member 3| with the cards, until thepunch pin ends 45 have moved upwardly to clear the cards. When this hasoccurred, the further release motion of lever 63 permits the springs 40to return to equilibrium condition and return the support 32 and member3I to the positions shown in Fig. 1. The member 3I serves thus both as apresser foot and as a stripper and insures clean, regular punching-outof the required holes in the stack of cards. Since the stack is firmlypressed together during punching movement therethrough of the punches,and during retraction, the holes are punched without leaving burrs orridges around the openings.

The operations described are repeated for each stack of cards punched,the punches being rearranged readily as necessary between punchings.

The device described herein permits quick, accurate punching as desired,of stacks of cards for banking and other purposes. The leverage ratio infavor of the operator is sulciently large to reduce required operatingeffort to a minimum. Ruggedness and long life of parts are alsocharacteristics of the machines.

The punch described is, of course, useful for punching holes in papercoupons arranged in book form and in other piled sheet papers at desiredpoints, and, in fact, wherever cleanly punched holes are desired.

It is to be understood that variation as to details is contemplatedwithin the scope of the claims. There is no intention of limitation tothe exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. In a devicev of the character described, a base member having aplurality of vertically extending perforations, a punching head guidablymounted in spaced relationship over said base member,lindividually-removable punching elements carried by said head, andmeans for moving said head-carried elements toward and away from saidbase member, said means comprising vertically-extending members rigidwith said base, a vertically-extending member rigid with said head, alever pivotally connected to one of said first-named verticallyextending members and with said second-named vertically extendingmember, an operating lever pivotally con-- nected to another of saidfirst-named vertically extending members and a link member pivotallyconnecting said two levers, said levers being arranged and admeasured toprovide a leverage ratio in favor of the operator for moving said head.

2. In a device of the character described, a base member having aplurality of vertically extending perforations, a punching head guidablymounted in spaced relationship over said base member,individually-removable punching elements carried by said head, and meansfor moving said head-carried elements toward and away from said basemember, said means comprising vertically-extending members rigid withsaid base, vertically extending members rigid With said head, leverspivotally connected to said first-named vertically extending members andto said second-named vertically extending members, another verticallyextending member rigid with said base, an operating lever pivotallyconnected to said last-named member, and link members pivotallyconnected to said operating lever and to said first-named levers, allsaid levers being arranged and admeasured to provide a leverage ratio infavor of the operator for moving said head.

JOHN EDWARD SADLER.

